Switching means for an electro-surgical device including particular contact means and particular printed-circuit mounting means

ABSTRACT

An electrical switching device is disclosed herein and comprises the major components suitable for use as a compact, easily installed switching device and also in an electro-surgical tool which, through the operation of the switching device, is readily adaptable for different intended uses and highly reliable. In one embodiment, the switching device includes a tubular housing having an intermediate longitudinally extending slot formed in its wall and a pair of longitudinally extending diametrically opposed recesses formed on its inner surface. A rectangularly shaped printed circuit board is mounted within the diametrically opposed recesses and includes at least three spaced apart electrical contacts which are positioned so as to be accessable through the slot formed in the housing. An integrally formed, elongated spring contact member is disposed in electrical conducting engagement with the center one of these electrical contacts and includes opposing energy absorbing coils, each of which is adapted to engage reliably a corresponding one of the otherwise free contacts. In this regard, in order to increase further the reliability of the engagement of the contacts, means are provided for securing the printed circuit board against inadvertent longitudinal movement within the housing. An arcuately shaped insert is mounted within the aforedescribed slot and engages portions of the lower surface of the circuit board for further securing said insert in place. In addition, the arcuately shaped insert includes a longitudinally extending slot adapted to receive therein a portion of a longitudinally extending rocker type switch actuator for pivotal movement about an axis generally normal to the axis of alignment of the electrical contacts. The free ends of the aforedescribed spring contact member are positioned within recess guides formed in the actuator and move into engagement with their corresponding contacts in response to selective pivotal movement.

United States Patent [1 1 Morrison, Jr.

[ SWITCHING MEANS FOR AN ELECTRO-SURGICAL DEVICE INCLUDING PARTICULAR CONTACT MEANS AND PARTICULAR PRINTED-CIRCUIT MOUNTING MEANS [75] Inventor: Charles F. Morrison, Jrt, Boulder,

[73] Assignee: Valleylab, Inc., Boulder, C010.

[22] Filed: Jan. 22, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 325,828

[52] US. Cl. 200/157, 200/6 C, 200/153 K,

200/166 BH, 200/166 PC, 200/164 R, 128/303.14 [51] Int. Cl II0lh 23/30, HOlh 9/06, l-I01h 1/18 [58] Field of Search 200/153 K, 157, 166 BH,

200/166 BA, 166 PC, 61.85, 164 R, 6 BB, 6 BA, 6 C; 128/303.14

An electrical switching device is disclosed herein and comprises the major components suitable for use as a Apr. 2, 1974 compact, easily installed switching device and also in an electro-surgical tool which, through the operation of the switching device, is readily adaptable for different intended uses and highly reliable. In one embodiment, theswitching device includes a tubular housing having an intermediate longitudinally extending slot formed in its wall and ,a pair of longitudinally extending diametrically opposed recesses formed on its inner surface. A rectangularly shaped printed circuit board is mounted within the diametrically opposed recesses and includes at least three spaced apart electrical contacts which are positioned so as to be accessable through the slot formed in the housing. An integrally formed, elongated spring contact member is disposed in electrical conducting engagement with the center one of these electrical contacts and includes opposing energy absorbing coils, each of which is adapted to engage reliably a corresponding one of the otherwise free contacts. In this regard, in order to increase further the reliability of the engagement of the contacts, means are provided for securing the printed circuit board against inadvertent longitudinal movement within the housing. An arcuately shaped insert is mounted within the aforedescribed slot and engages portions of the lower surface of the circuit board for further securing said insert in place. In addition, the arcuately shaped insert includes a longitudinally extending slot adapted to receive therein a portion of a longitudinally extending rocker type switch actuator for pivotal movement about an axis generally normal to the axis of alignment of the electrical contacts. The free ends of the aforedescribed spring contact member are positioned within recess guides formed in the actuator and move into engagement with their corresponding contacts in response to selective pivotal movement.

10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 1 SWITCHING MEANS FOR AN ELECTRO-SURGICAL DEVICE INCLUDING PARTICULAR CONTACT MEANS AND PARTICULAR PRINTED-CIRCUIT MOUNTING MEANS I BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is related generally to an electrical switching device and more particularly to such a device especially suitable as part of an electro-surgical tool.

In the field of medicine generally and in the field of surgery in particular, surgical tools utilizing electrical power are being used more and-more. One such tool being used by surgeons today operates on electrical current to perform, for example, cutting and coagulating or cauterization operations. Finger-actuated slidetype electrical switches for actuating a single circuit of such a tool, or for selectively actuating a plurality of circuits, are well known and such are illustrated by United States Letters Patent No. 3,217,112. This patent discloses a rocker-type switch for selectively actuating a plurality of circuits, the actuating element between the rocker and the switch contact being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the casing. This switch has limited application and its construction results in a rather bulky device not susceptible for use in connection with an elongated pencil-shaped surgical tool which is prefered by and easily held in one hand of the physician during operations.

Finger-actuated surgical devices for the dual purpose of cutting and cauterizing tissue by the selective application of high frequency current ofa selected type and powerare also well known as exemplified by United States Letters Patent No. 1,813,902, and related United- States Letters Patent Nos. 2,611,635, 3,058,470, 3,089,496 and 3,100,489. Advantages of a surgical tool of this type having a finger-actuated switch over surgical tools having a foot pedal-operated switch or one operated by an assistant are amply set forth in these patents-and need no further amplification herein. The finger-actuated surgical tools of the prior art are, however, somewhat bulky in construction, do not lend themselves to facile sterilization procedures and techniques, and cannot be manufactured by relatively inexpensive plastic molding techniques.

A more recent development in switching devices especially suitable as part of an electro-surgical tool is disclosed in US. Letters Patent No. 3,648,001. In this patent, an electrical slide switch particularly adapted for use in surgical tools is disclosed which is incorporated in a pencil-type case for ease in handling and is readily adaptable for sterilization with standard sterilization procedures. In addition, it can be readily and inexpensively manufactured by conventional plastic molding techniques.

While the electrical switching device described in the above-referenced patent is a novel electrical switching device which is particularly adapted for its intended use, the present invention provides a novel electrical switching device which is particularly adapted for use in electro-surgical tools and which provides highly reliable switching and electrical engagement in an uncomplicated, compact and easily maneuverable design, all of which will become apparent hereinafter.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the foregoing, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel electrical switching device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel three-position electrical switching device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a switching device of the last-mentioned type which is easily movable between positions and which reliably engages the selected position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a switching device of the last-mentioned type including a novel contact member for providing reliable electrical engagement.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical switching device of the last-mentioned type including a novel rocker-type actuator adapted to cooperate with the spring contact member in providing a reliable electrical engagement.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a contact member which is designed to effect a wiping action across associated electrical contacts for providing reliable electrical engagement of the latter.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel two-position electrical switching device and spring contact member therefor.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel housing for the electrical switching device of the aforementioned type.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel pencil-type electro-surgical tool utilizing the switching device of the aforementioned type.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel switching device inexpensive to manufacture and easily installed or removed from a predetermined location such as the surface of an item.

These and other objects-and-features of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pencil-type electrosurgical tool utilizing a preferred embodiment of an electrical switching device constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. -2 is an exploded perspective view of the compo nents comprising the electro-surgical tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along line 33 in FIG. 2 and particularly illustrating a spring contact member which is constructed in accordance with the present invention and which comprises part of the electrical switching device;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the electrosurgical tool of FIG. 1, taken generally along line 44 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the electro-surgical tool of FIG. 1 taken generally along line 55 in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the electro-surgical tool of- FIG. I,taken generally along line 6-6 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a switching device constructed in accordance with this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Turning now to FIGS. 1-6 of the drawing, wherein like components are designated by like reference numerals throughout the various figures, a pencil-like electro-surgical tool, constructed in accordance with the present invention, is illustrated in FIG. 1 and generally designated by thereference numeral 10. The electro-surgical tool includes a surgical cutting and coagulating means such as blade 12 connected with a multi-frequency electrical power supply (not shown) through suitable leads, the conduit being generally designated by the reference numeral 14, and an electrical switching device 16 which is constructed in accordance with the present invention. As will be seen hereinafter, the device 10 is a highly reliable, easily manipulated, uncomplicated and economically produced threeposition switch providing for an intermediate'or neutral position adapted to prevent current from reaching blade 12, a second position adapted to provide, for example, current of one type to reach the blade for cutting operations and a third position adapted to allow current of a second type to reach blade 12 for providing a coagulating operation. While the electrical switching device 16 is especially suitable as part of a pencil-like electro-surgical tool such as tool 10, it is to be understood that the switching device could be readily used in other types of electrical switching operations.

In order to achieve reliability, easy manipulation, simplicity and economy in manufacture, the electrical switching device 16 includes a plurality of carefully'designed cooperating components including an elongated tubular housing 18 (see FIG. 2) within which a rectangular printed circuit board 20 is disposed An integrally formed spring contact member 22 (see FIG. 3) is mounted on the circuit board 20 and an end cap 24 is adapted for insertion into the rearwardmost end of housing 18 and is provided for securing the printed circuit board within'the housing to prevent inadvertent longitudinal movement of the circuit boardrelative to thehousing; A front cap 26 is mounted over the front of housing 18 and provided for supporting and/or shielding the cutting and coagulating blade 12 and limits forward movement of the circuit board. A rocker type actuator switch 28'is pivotally supported by an arcuately shaped insert 30 and cooperates with spring contact member 22 for providing easily manipulated selection of the various switch positions.

Turning toFIG. 2, attention is specifically directed to tubular housing 18 which is constructed from an elongated tube, preferably of molded plastic, and having a cylindrical bore 32 extending therethrough. For reasons to be described hereinafter, housing 18 includes a longitudinally extending slot 34 which is formed in the housing wall intermediate the ends of the housing and which has a circumferential extent exceeding 180. The housing also includesia pair of longitudinally extending, diametrically opposed recesses 36 formed on the inner surface of the housing, as best illustrated in FIG. 6. The recesses extend the entire length of housing 18 and receive and support rectangular circuit board 20in a plane which is parallel to a plane passing through the longitudinal edges of slot 34 as will be seen hereinafter.

Attention is now directed to rectangular circuit board 20 which is illustrated best in FIG. 2. Circuit board 20 includes on its top surface two or more spaced-apart, generally longitudinally aligned electrical contacts 38, 40, and 42 which are respectively connected to corresponding ones of a plurality of electrical leads 44 through a printed circuit (not shown) located on the underside of the circuit board. Leads 44 extend through aforedescribed conduit 14 and are connected in a conventional manner to appropriate circuitry. The contacts 38, 40 and 42 are shown as being connected by the printed circuit to a conductive coupling member 46, which is suitably mounted to the forwardmost end of the circuit board. Coupling member 46 is provided for'connecting blade 12 to the output of the RF power source via one of the leads 44 and the printed circuit. The tool 10 shown in the drawings does not contemplate switching power directly to the blade 12 but same could be accomplished by using the proper type of contacts 38, 40 and 42. Circuit board 20 is mounted within diametrically opposed recesses 36 of housing 18 such that contacts 38, 40 and 42 are a'ccessable through slot 34. In this position, coupling member 46 is appropriately located for receiving blade 12 in electrical engagement, as will be described hereinafter.

In order to secure printed circuit board 20 within housing 18 in the manner described above so as to prevent inadvertent'longitudinal movement of the circuit board relative to the housing, end cap 24 and nose cap 26 are provided. The end cap 24 includes a radially extending boss portion 48 which is formed on an annular portion 50 extending radially from a tapered head 52.

As illustrated best in FIGS. 4 and 6, end cap 24 is disposed within cylindrical bore 32 of housing 18 through the back end of the latter so that boss portion 48 is suitably seated within a cooperating'recess 54 formed adjacent the end of the housing and so that head 52 of cap 24 is contiguous with the back end thereof." Positioned in this manner, it should be noted that the annular portion 52 extends into the housing'a distance sufficient to engage abuttingly against the back end of circuit board 20. Hence, annular portion 50 prevents the circuit board from inadvertent longitudinal movement in .the rearward direction. As will be seen hereinafter, front cap 26 prevents the circuit board 20 from inadvertent longitudinal movement in a forward direction. As seen best in FIG. 4, both annular portion 50 and head portion 52 of end cap 24 together define an open ended passage 58 for allowing the conduit 14 to pass therethrough. As also illustrated in FIG. 4, front cap 26, which is hollow, includes a cylindrical rearward portion 51 and an inwardly tapering forward portion 53 adapted to receive balde 12 in the manner illustrated. The inner surface of the rearward portion 51 and the outer surface of the adjacent end of the housing have a complemental boss and recess formed therein to provide frictional intercoupling thereof in the same manner asdescribed above with the end cap 24 and the end of housing adjacent thereto. When the front cap 26 is mounted on the housing 18, coupling member 46 will electrically engage the blade 12 and cap 26 will prevent the circuit board 20 from moving forward.

Turning to FIG. 3, attention is directed to the integrally formed spring contact member 22 which, as illustrated, includes a substantially straight center portion 60 ha ving energy absorbing coils 62 and 64 formed at each end thereof Each of the coils 62 and 64, respectively, has a generally L-shaped portion 66 and 68 which extends outwardly therefrom and which has a generally arcuately shaped free end including a convex part 70 and 72, respectively.

The center portion 60 of contact member 22 is suitably secured in electrical conducting engagement with the center contact 40 of circuit board while the free ends of the L-shaped portions 66 and 68 are, respectively, normally disposed generally above and out of electrical conducting engagement with contacts 38 and 42, respectively. In fact, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the convex parts 70 and 72 of L-shaped portions 66 and 68 are positioned above the contacts 38 and 42. As will be seen hereinafter, each of the convex parts engages its respective contact in a wiping-type action when the convex part is brought into electrical conducting engagement therewith. This, in turn, provides for a more reliable electrical engagement.

Returning to FIG. 2 in conjunction with FIG. 5, the arcuately shaped insert member 30 is shown. The insert member includes an elongated body portion-74 having a curvalinear cross-section with a radius of curvature equal to that of housing 18. The body portion 74 is complementally mounted within slot 34 of housing 18,

as best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, and includes a longitudinally extending slot 76 formed through its wall intermediate the longitudinal ends thereof. As will be seen hereinafter, the slot 76 is provided for receiving therein the rocker-type actuator 28.

Insert member also includes a pair of longitudinally extending but radially inwardly directed fingers 78 (see FIGS) which when mounted within the slot 34, are disposed in the same plane in which lies one of the surfaces of diametrically. opposed recesses 36. As also seen in FIG. 5, longitudinal channels 82 are formed on opposite sides of slot 34 in housing 18 and extend the length of the slot 34. In this manner, the radially inwardly directed fingers 78 of insert member 30 engage the lower surface of the circuit board 20 and member 30 is secured within said slot as a result thereof.

In order to support rocker-type actuator 28 in a manextending outwardly from opposite sides of abody por- I tion 88 and disposed with the aligned recesses 84 of insert member 30. In this manner, a centrally located rocker portion 90, formed on the under side of body portion 88' is disposed; to contact a portion 0F the printed circuit board 20 such that the actuator 28 is pivot-ally movable about an axis generally normal to the axis of alignment of the electrical contacts 38', 40 and 42 of printed circuit board 20.

Actuator 28 also includes longitudinally extending recesses 92 and 94 formed in the lower surface of the housing portion 88v adjacent eachend of the housing portion. These recesses 92 and: 94 are provided as guide means for respective free ends of the L-shaped portions 66 and 68. More specifically, a part of the free end of each L-shaped portion 66 and 68' of spring contact member 22: is: disposed within a corresponding one of the recesses 92 and- 94 such that the L-shaped portions are guided by and move with the actuator. In

this regard, the actuator includes a finger-engaging portion 96 on the top side of housing 88, the fingerengaging portion being disposed outside of housing 18 and insert 30 through slot 76. The finger engaging portion 96 is adapted to be engaged by the finger of an operator for selectively rotating the actuator in opposite directions wherebyupon application of a force to the actuator, the latter is pivotally moved. If this movement, is, for example, forward movement (toward the left as viewed in FIG. 1), the recess 92 formed in body portion 88 of the actuator will guide the convex part of L-shaped portion 66 into electrical conducting engagement with contact 38 of circuit board 20. This in turn may, for example, close an electrical circuit for switching the power supply, thereby passing current to blade 12. Simultaneously, energy will be stored in the coil 62 associated with convex part 70 of L-shaped portion 66 and, upon removing the force from the actuator, energy will be released from the coil thereby causing the convex part 70 of the free end of L-shaped portion 66 to move out of electrical conducting engagement with contact 38, whereby the electrical circuit will be opened. The same type of pivoting action results with respect to convex part 72 of L-shaped portion 68 and contact 42, when force is applied to the actuator in a rearward fashion. In this regard, it should be noted that as each of theconvex parts engages its respective contact, it, in effect, wipes across the contact so as to provide a more reliable engagement. This wiping action results, in part, from the use of a recess having a greater width than the diameter of the material usedto form the free end of the L-shaped portion that is disposed therein.

In FIG. 7 is shown an exploded perspective, view of a different embodiment of a switching device 100 constructed in accordance with this inventionThe switching device 100 comprises a base member 102, a spring contact member 104 which is identical in construction to spring contact memberv 22, a switch actuator 106 which is similar or identical to switch actuator 28, a cover member 108 which is functionally similar to the arcuately shaped insert 30, and means 110 for attaching the switching unit to a surface of an item. The base member 102 includes a plurality of spaced apart, generally sligned electrical contacts 112, 114 and 116 which are substantially similar to electrical contacts 38, 40 and 42. As shown in FIG. 7, each electrical contact is connected by suitable means to a corresponding one of a plurality of electrically conductive leads.

The cover member 108 includes an annular recess in which is to be disposed the base member 102. The cover member 108 is secured to said base member 102 by the'frictional interface developed between abutting surface portions thereof. The right end of the base member 102 is foreshortened suitably to permit the electrical leads to remain attached thereto when the cover member 108 is mounted thereon. It will be appreciated, however, that the right end of the cover member 108 may be suitably lengthened to accomodate the location of the electrical leads as aforesaid. Although not shown, it will be readily appreciated that any suitable strain relief means may be employed to prevent separation of the electrical leads from the base member 102 when same are objected to a tensile force.

The attaching means 110 as shown comprises a flexible member having opposite surfaces thereof coated with a pressure sentive material 118. Although other suitable attaching means may be employed, it will be readily appreciated that through the use of the attaching means 110 the switching'device 100 may be readily installed or removed from a predetermined location such as the surface of any item. It will also be readily appreciated that the switching device 110 is not only compact in size but also quite inexpensive to manufacture. Further, it will be understood that the switching device 100 may be constructed with either two or three spaced apart generally aligned electrical contacts. Additionally, the switch actuator and the spring contact member may be appropriately modified where only two electrical contacts are used.

From the foregoing, it'should be readily apparent that an electrical switching device especially suitable.

for use as part of an 'electro-surgical tool has been disclosed and that the device is highly reliable, easily manipulated, economical to produce and uncomplicated in design.

It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the exact embodiment of the device described and shown which is merely by way of illustration and not limitation, as various other forms and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, it will be understood that the integrally formed, elongated spring contact member may comprise an energy absorbing means having a part thereof adapted to be disposed in electrical conducting engagement with one electrical contact of an electrical switching device and a generally L-shaped portion attached to said energy absorbing means wherein said L-shaped portion has a free end adapted to be disposed normally out of electrical conducting engagement with another electrical contact of an electrical switching device.

I claim: 7 I

1. An integrally formed, spring contact member adapted for use in an electrical switching device having at least twospaced apart electrical contacts, said member comprising:

a. an energy absorbing coil the ends of which extend from said coil at an obtuse angle with respect to one'another, one end of said coil being adapted to be disposed in electrical conducting engagement with one electrical contact of an, electrical switching device; and b. a generally L-shaped portion attached to the other end of said energy absorbing coil, said L-shaped portion having a free'end adapted to be disposed normally out of electrical conducting engagement 4. An integrally formed, elongated spring contact member adapted for use in an electrical switching device having at least three longitudinally spaced apart electrical contacts, said member comprising:

a. a center portion adapted to be disposed in electri' cal conducting engagement with the middle electrical contact of an electrical switching device;

b. an energy absorbing coil formed at each end of said center portion with the ends of each said coil extending from each said'coil at an obtuse angle with respect to one another; and

. a generally L-shaped portion attached to each energy absorbing coil and extending outwardly away from said center portion, each L-shaped portion having a free end adapted to be disposed out of electrical conducting engagement with a corresponding one of a remaining contacts of the electrical switching device.

. An electro-surgical switching device, comprising:

a. a housing at least a part of which is cylindrical, said housing having an opening therein;

b. means for mounting atleast a pair of spaced apart electrical contacts within the cylindrical portion of said housing and accessible through said opening therein;

c. an integrally formed, elongated spring contact member, said member including i. an energy .absorging' coil disposed in electrical conducting engagement with one of said spaced apart electrical contacts and ii. a generally L-shaped portion attached to said energy absorbing coil, said L-shaped portion having a free end normally disposed above and out of electrical conducting engagement with the other one of said electrical contacts; and

d. a switch actuator having guide means formed on a surface portion thereof, said switch actuator being mounted on said housing so that said guide means can cooperate with the free end of said L- shaped portion whereby upon application of a force to said actuator said guide means will guide the. free end of said L-shaped portion into electrical conducting engagement with said other one of said electrical contacts thereby closing an electrical circuit and, simultaneously, storing energy in the energy absorbing coil, and, upon removing said force from said actuator, energy will be released from said energy absorbing coil, thereby causing the free end of said L-shaped portion to move out of electrical conducting engagement with said other one of said electrical contacts whereby said closed electrical circuit will be opened.

6. An electro-surgical electrical switching device,

comprising:

a. an elongated tubular housing;

b. a slot formed in the wall of said housing intermediate the ends thereof;

c. a printed circuit board mounted within said tubular housing;

d. at least a pair of spaced apart electrical contacts mounted on said printed circuit board and accessible through said slot formed in the wall of said housing;

e. an integrally formed, elongated spring contact member, said member including i. an energy absorbing means disposed in electrical conducting arrangement with one of said spaced apart electrical contacts and i ii. a generally L-shaped portion attached to said energy absorbing means, said L-shaped portion having a free end normally disposed above and out of electrical conducting engagement with the other one of said electrical contacts; f. an arcuately shaped insert mounted within said slot formed in the wall of saidhousing; and g. a switch actuator pivotally mounted on said insert so as to rotate about an axis generally normal to a line interconnecting said electrical contacts, said actuator including a free end having guide means formed on the lower surface thereof, a part of said L-shaped portion cooperating with said guide means whereby upon application of a force to said actuator, to cause pivotal movement thereof, said guide means will guide the free end of the L-shaped portion into electrical conducting engagement with said other one of said electrical contacts thereby closing an electrical circuit and, simultaneously, storing energy in the energy absorbing means and, upon removing said force from said actuator, energy will be released from said energy absorbing means thereby causing the free end of said L- shaped portion to move out of electrical conducting engagement with said other one of said electrical contacts whereby said closed electrical circuit will be opened. 7. In an electrical switching device as described in claim 6 above in which said energy absorbing means includes a coil the ends of which extend from said coil at an obtuse angle with respect to one another with one end being connected-to said one of said spaced apart electrical contacts and the other end being connected to said generally L-shaped portion.

8. In a three-position electrical switching device: a. a printed circuit board having at least three spaced apart generally longitudinally aligned contacts formed thereon; b. an integrally formed, elongated spring contact member, including iv a center portion having an energy absorbing coil formed at each end thereof with the ends of each said coil extending from each said coil at an obtuse angle with respect to one another,

ii. a generally L-shaped portion attached to a each energy absorbing-coil and extending outwardly away from saidcenter portion, each L-shaped portion having afree end,

iii. the center portion beingdisposed in electrical conducting engagement with the center one of said electrical contacts of said printed circuit board, and

iv. the free end of each L-shaped portion being normally disposed generally above and out of electrical conducting engagement with a corresponding one of the remaining electrical contacts of said printed circuit board; and

c. a rocker-type switch actuatorpivotally mounted to rotate about an axis generally normal to the axis of alignment of the electrical contacts of said printed circuit board, said actuator including guide means formed in the lower surface thereof, a part of each L-shaped portion of said member cooperating with said guide means whereby upon application of a force to said actuator, to cause pivotal movement thereof, the guide means will guide the free end of one of said L-shaped portions into electrical conducting engagement with a corresponding one of the remaining contacts of said printed circuit board thereby closing an electrical circuit and, simultaneously, storing energy in the energy absorbing coil associated with said L-shaped portion, and, upon removing said force from said actuator, energy will be released from said energy absorbing coil thereby causing the free end of said L-shaped portion to move out of electrical conducting engagement with its associated electrical contact whereby said electrical circuit will be opened. 9. An electrical switching device comprising: a. an'elongated tube having i. a cylindrical bore extending therethrough forming a tubular housing, ii. a slot'formed in the wall of said housing intermediate the ends thereof, and

iii. a pair of longitudinally extending, diametrically opposed recesses formed on the inner surface of said housing;

b. a rectangularly shaped printed circuit board mounted within the diametrically opposed recesses formed within said housing, said printed 'circuit board including at least three spaced apart, generally longitudinally aligned electrical contacts, said contacts being accessible through the slot formed in the wall of said housing;

0. an integrally formed, elongated spring contact member, said member including i. a center portion having an energy absorbing coil formed at each end thereof,

ii. a generally L-shaped portion attached to each coil and extending outwardly from said center portion, each L-shaped portion having a generally arcuately shaped free end including a convex part,

iii. the center portion being disposed in electrical conducting engagement with the center one of said electrical contact of said printed circuit board, and

iv. the free end of each L-shaped portion being normally disposed generally above and out of electrical conducting engagement with a corresponding one of the remaining electrical contacts of said printed circuit board;

(1. means for securing said printed circuit board within said housing to prevent inadvertent longitudinal movement thereof relative to said housing;

e. an arcuately shaped insert complementally mounted within the slot formed in the wall of said housing, said insert including i. a pairof longitudinally extending, diametrically opposed recesses formed on the inner surface thereof and disposed in alignment with the recesses of said housing,

ii. a pair of longitudinally extending but radially inwardly directed fingers disposed in contacting engagement with a surface portion of said printed circuit boarcl,

iii. a longitudinally extending slot formed through the wall of said insert and intermediate the ends thereof, and

iv. a pair of aligned recesses formed on the inner surface of said insert and disposed transversely to the longitudinal axis thereof; and

f. a longitudinally extending rocker type switch actuator having transversely disposed trunions disposed within the recesses formed on the inner surfaces of said insert whereby said actuator is disposed to to the axis of alignment of the electrical contacts of said printed circuit board, said actuator including guide means formed on the lower surface thereof, said guide means comprising longitudinally extending recess portions formed in the lower surface thereof adjacent each end of said actuator, a part of each L-shaped portion of said spring contact member being disposed within a corresponding one of said recess portions, said actuator having a finger engaging portion on one side of its pivotal mounting disposed outside of the housing and adapted to be engaged by a finger of an operator for selectively rotating same in opposite directions whereby upon application of a force to said actuator, to cause pivotal movement thereof, the guide means will guide the convex part of the free end of said L-shaped portion into electrical conducting engagement with acorresponding one of the remaining electrical contacts of said printed circuit board thereby closing an electrical circuit and, simultaneously, energy will be stored in the coil associated with a corresponding one of said L-shaped portions, and, upon removing said force from said actuator, energy will be released from said coil thereby causing the convex part of the free end of said L-shaped portion to move out of electrical conducting engagement with its associated electrical contact whereby said electrical circuit will be opened,

10. An electrical switching device as described in claim 1 above in which each each recessportion of said guide means'and the convex part of the spring contact member associated therewith are constructed-to effect a, wiping action across their associated electrical contact when said convex part is brought into electrical v conducting engagement with said electrical contact.

a UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE 'OF CORRECTION Patent No. 801,766 I 'Dafed April 2 1974 Inventofls) v Charles F. Morrison, Jr.

It is certified that error appear's in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 5; Line 50 change "with" to within-- Column 5 Line 53 change "0F" t --0f- Column 6 Line 46, change "-sligned to -,-align'ed' Column 7-, Line 37, har 1ge "engagement" to -engagement Column 8; Line I 25 change "ahsorging" t6 .--absqr bing- Column 'l2 Line ehange "1" to --9--- signeeand seafled' this" 17th day; of December 1974.

Arrest:

I-IcC OY M. GIBSON JR. a Q 7 c. l'iARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer r Comi's'sioner of Patents m I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GERTIFICATE'OF CORRECTION Ptent No. 3,801,766 'Dated April 2 1974 Inventor(s) Charles F. Morrison, Jr.

It is certified that efror appe ar s in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 5; Line 50-,' change "with" to "within" Column 5, Line 53, chauge "oF" t --o- Column 6 Line '46,change "-sligned" to --a1ign ed'-- Column 7-, Line 37, change "cngagement to'--engagement-- Column 8 Line 25, change "aihsorging" t6 --abso r bing-' Column -12 Line 14 uhang "'1" to -.-9

Signed ar xd se a'led' this" 17th day of December 1974.

( EAL) Attest I-IcCOY M. GIBSON r C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer m r Commissioner of Patents 

1. An integrally formed, spring contact member adapted for use in an electrical switching device having at least two spaced apart electrical contacts, said member comprising: a. an energy absorbing coil the ends of which extend from said coil at an obtuse angle with respect to one another, one end of said coil being adapted to be disposed in electrical conducting engagement with one electrical contact of an electrical switching device; and b. a generally L-shaped portion attached to the other end of said energy absorbing coil, said L-shaped portion having a free end adapted to be disposed normally out of electrical conducting engagement with the other electrical contact of the electrical switching device.
 2. In an electrical switching device as described in claim 1 above including means for attaching the electrical switching device to the surface of an item.
 3. In an electrical switching device as described in claim 2 above in which said attaching means includes a flexible member having opposite sides thereof coated with a pressure sensitive material.
 4. An integrally formed, elongated spring contact member adapted for use in an electrical switching device having at least three longitudinally spaced apart electrical contacts, said member comprising: a. a center portion adapted to be disposed in electrical conducting engagement with the middle electrical contact of an electrical switching device; b. an energy absorbing coil formed at each end of said center portion with the ends of each said coil extending from each said coil at an obtuse angle with respect to one another; and c. a generally L-shaped portion attached to each energy absorbing coil and estending outwardly away from said center portion, each L-shaped portion having a free end adapted to be disposed out of electrical conducting engagement with a corresponding one of a remaining contacts of the electrical switching device.
 5. An electro-surgical switching device, comprising: a. a housing at least a part of which is cylindrical, said housing having an opening therein; b. means for mounting at least a pair of spaced apart electrical contacts within the cylindrical portion of said housing and accessible through said opening therein; c. an integrally formed, elongated spring contact member, said member including i. an energy absorging coil disposed in electrical conducting engagement with one of said spaced apart electrical contacts and ii. a generally L-shaped portion attached to said energy absorbing coil, said L-shaped portion having a free end normally disposed above and out of electrical conducting engagement with the other one of said electrical contacts; and d. a switch actuator having guide means formed on a surface portion thereof, said switch actuator being mounted on said housing so that said guide means can cooperate with the free end of said L-shaped portion whereby upon application of a force to said actuator said guide means will guide the free end of said L-shaped portion into electrical conducting engagement with said other one of said electrical contacts thereby closing an electrical circuit and, siMultaneously, storing energy in the energy absorbing coil, and, upon removing said force from said actuator, energy will be released from said energy absorbing coil, thereby causing the free end of said L-shaped portion to move out of electrical conducting engagement with said other one of said electrical contacts whereby said closed electrical circuit will be opened.
 6. An electro-surgical electrical switching device, comprising: a. an elongated tubular housing; b. a slot formed in the wall of said housing intermediate the ends thereof; c. a printed circuit board mounted within said tubular housing; d. at least a pair of spaced apart electrical contacts mounted on said printed circuit board and accessible through said slot formed in the wall of said housing; e. an integrally formed, elongated spring contact member, said member including i. an energy absorbing means disposed in electrical conducting arrangement with one of said spaced apart electrical contacts and ii. a generally L-shaped portion attached to said energy absorbing means, said L-shaped portion having a free end normally disposed above and out of electrical conducting engagement with the other one of said electrical contacts; f. an arcuately shaped insert mounted within said slot formed in the wall of said housing; and g. a switch actuator pivotally mounted on said insert so as to rotate about an axis generally normal to a line interconnecting said electrical contacts, said actuator including a free end having guide means formed on the lower surface thereof, a part of said L-shaped portion cooperating with said guide means whereby upon application of a force to said actuator, to cause pivotal movement thereof, said guide means will guide the free end of the L-shaped portion into electrical conducting engagement with said other one of said electrical contacts thereby closing an electrical circuit and, simultaneously, storing energy in the energy absorbing means and, upon removing said force from said actuator, energy will be released from said energy absorbing means thereby causing the free end of said L-shaped portion to move out of electrical conducting engagement with said other one of said electrical contacts whereby said closed electrical circuit will be opened.
 7. In an electrical switching device as described in claim 6 above in which said energy absorbing means includes a coil the ends of which extend from said coil at an obtuse angle with respect to one another with one end being connected to said one of said spaced apart electrical contacts and the other end being connected to said generally L-shaped portion.
 8. In a three-position electrical switching device: a. a printed circuit board having at least three spaced apart generally longitudinally aligned contacts formed thereon; b. an integrally formed, elongated spring contact member, including i. a center portion having an energy absorbing coil formed at each end thereof with the ends of each said coil extending from each said coil at an obtuse angle with respect to one another, ii. a generally L-shaped portion attached to a each energy absorbing coil and extending outwardly away from said center portion, each L-shaped portion having a free end, iii. the center portion being disposed in electrical conducting engagement with the center one of said electrical contacts of said printed circuit board, and iv. the free end of each L-shaped portion being normally disposed generally above and out of electrical conducting engagement with a corresponding one of the remaining electrical contacts of said printed circuit board; and c. a rocker-type switch actuator pivotally mounted to rotate about an axis generally normal to the axis of alignment of the electrical contacts of said printed circuit board, said actuator including guide means formed in the lower surface thereof, a part of each L-shaped portion of said member cooperating with said guide means Whereby upon application of a force to said actuator, to cause pivotal movement thereof, the guide means will guide the free end of one of said L-shaped portions into electrical conducting engagement with a corresponding one of the remaining contacts of said printed circuit board thereby closing an electrical circuit and, simultaneously, storing energy in the energy absorbing coil associated with said L-shaped portion, and, upon removing said force from said actuator, energy will be released from said energy absorbing coil thereby causing the free end of said L-shaped portion to move out of electrical conducting engagement with its associated electrical contact whereby said electrical circuit will be opened.
 9. An electrical switching device comprising: a. an elongated tube having i. a cylindrical bore extending therethrough forming a tubular housing, ii. a slot formed in the wall of said housing intermediate the ends thereof, and iii. a pair of longitudinally extending, diametrically opposed recesses formed on the inner surface of said housing; b. a rectangularly shaped printed circuit board mounted within the diametrically opposed recesses formed within said housing, said printed circuit board including at least three spaced apart, generally longitudinally aligned electrical contacts, said contacts being accessible through the slot formed in the wall of said housing; c. an integrally formed, elongated spring contact member, said member including i. a center portion having an energy absorbing coil formed at each end thereof, ii. a generally L-shaped portion attached to each coil and extending outwardly from said center portion, each L-shaped portion having a generally arcuately shaped free end including a convex part, iii. the center portion being disposed in electrical conducting engagement with the center one of said electrical contact of said printed circuit board, and iv. the free end of each L-shaped portion being normally disposed generally above and out of electrical conducting engagement with a corresponding one of the remaining electrical contacts of said printed circuit board; d. means for securing said printed circuit board within said housing to prevent inadvertent longitudinal movement thereof relative to said housing; e. an arcuately shaped insert complementally mounted within the slot formed in the wall of said housing, said insert including i. a pair of longitudinally extending, diametrically opposed recesses formed on the inner surface thereof and disposed in alignment with the recesses of said housing, ii. a pair of longitudinally extending but radially inwardly directed fingers disposed in contacting engagement with a surface portion of said printed circuit board, iii. a longitudinally extending slot formed through the wall of said insert and intermediate the ends thereof, and iv. a pair of aligned recesses formed on the inner surface of said insert and disposed transversely to the longitudinal axis thereof; and f. a longitudinally extending rocker type switch actuator having transversely disposed trunions disposed within the recesses formed on the inner surfaces of said insert whereby said actuator is disposed to contact a portion of said printed circuit board for pivotal movement about an axis generally normal to the axis of alignment of the electrical contacts of said printed circuit board, said actuator including guide means formed on the lower surface thereof, said guide means comprising longitudinally extending recess portions formed in the lower surface thereof adjacent each end of said actuator, a part of each L-shaped portion of said spring contact member being disposed within a corresponding one of said recess portions, said actuator having a finger engaging portion on one side of its pivotal mounting disposed outside of the housing and adapted to be engaged by a finger of an operator for selectively rotating same in opposite directions whereby Upon application of a force to said actuator, to cause pivotal movement thereof, the guide means will guide the convex part of the free end of said L-shaped portion into electrical conducting engagement with a corresponding one of the remaining electrical contacts of said printed circuit board thereby closing an electrical circuit and, simultaneously, energy will be stored in the coil associated with a corresponding one of said L-shaped portions, and, upon removing said force from said actuator, energy will be released from said coil thereby causing the convex part of the free end of said L-shaped portion to move out of electrical conducting engagement with its associated electrical contact whereby said electrical circuit will be opened.
 10. An electrical switching device as described in claim 1 above in which each each recess portion of said guide means and the convex part of the spring contact member associated therewith are constructed to effect a wiping action across their associated electrical contact when said convex part is brought into electrical conducting engagement with said electrical contact. 